Articles for Mediators
Why Do So Many Family Litigants Not Have Lawyers?
By Rachel Birnbaum and Nick Bala | More and more people who are divorcing do it without a lawyer. This research looks at their reasons and at the anticipated consequences of their decisions.
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Mojo Marketing & Management: “The Business of Your Practice”
By Ada Hasloescher | Buckle your seat belts and join me as I tackle the roadblocks, fast tracks and everything in between for mediators building their practices. All are welcome, even the backseat drivers!
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So Much Polarization
How To Use Social Media for Fun, Learning, and Profit
By Virginia Colin | For mediators, social media provide opportunities to educate the public and talk with colleagues. Sometimes you get free advertising.
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Child Inclusive Mediation: Research on Views of the Child Reports in Ontario
By Rachel Birnbaum and Nick Bala | How can mediators and courts give children a safe, useful and cost-efficient way to make their perspectives known when decisions about parenting plans are being made? Some research is available.
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THE TIME IS NOW: Frequently Asked Questions and Observations about Credentialing Mediators
By Steve Erickson | We need a way to assess skills and provide credentials for family mediators who are client-centered, non-coercive, and respectful of self-determination. Other approaches masquerading as mediation are confusing the public.
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The Sagas of Mr. & Ms. Nasty and Mr. & Ms. Nice
By Larry Gaughan | Clients who get loud and nasty during mediation may nevertheless reach a fair settlement. Nice clients may not. Conflict resolution models help clarify what is happening.
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Should We Mediate Restraining Orders?
By Bill Eddy | Negotiating restraining orders in mediation might be letting aggressors bully victims into canceling protective orders. Are there exceptions?
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Self-Determination and Standards of Practice
By Larry Gaughan | Ethical Standards of Practice based on definitions of “self-determination” must take into account the full complexity of the issues involved.
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Mediation and Our Spiritual Journeys in a Material World
By Larry Gaughan | Even during divorce, perhaps the best way to describe our paths through life is that we are each on a spiritual journey. Mediators can help people refocus on their new spiritual journeys through the material world of present family finances and future security.
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Do Retired Judges Really Mediate?
By Larry Gaughan | Many retired judges call the process they use mediation, but a good look at what they do shows that it has almost all of the characteristics of the adversarial litigation system. One basic principle of every set of mediator ethics is that mediation not be coercive. When there are very long meetings (sometimes past midnight), often with a trial date close at hand,
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Divorce Mediation: A House Divided (Part II)
By Lenard Marlow | Mediators need to make sure that they are not giving legal advice, holding themselves out as lawyers, or practicing law in any manner. Some nevertheless say that it is OK for mediators who are not lawyers to write divorce settlement agreements.
read moreYou may have interest in prior editions of APFM’s newsletter, The Professional Family Mediator.